Electrically-powered time device



G. G. ENslGN ETAL 2,865,163

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ELECTRICALLY-POWERED TIME DEVICE Filed April 15. 1952 19 Sheets-Sheet 19 United States Patent ELECTRICALLY-PWERED TIlVIE DEVICE George G. Ensign and Glenn 4T. Saper, Elgin, Ill., and

'GssianLundahL rlando, Fla., assignors to Elgin National Watch Company, Elgin, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 15, '1952, Serial No. 282,388

19 Claims. (Cl. 58-28) This invention relates to electrically actuated time measuring devices, and is particularly concerned with such devices preferably of a self-contained nature and which can operate overlong periods without replacement or adjustment of parts.

Many previous proposals and structures have been made in which an electrical battery serves to maintain a balance or like system in oscillation and to operate a time-indicating train. Some commercial structures have been devised for conditions where no limitations of sizes or power requirements are present, for example clocks; while others have had minor restrictions on one or more of the size dimensions, for example automobile clocks, wherewith the current is supplied from the automobile battery and may amount to even several watts; and yet others have ybeen made to operate` from a singlestandard flashlight cell, with the minor restriction of providing space for such a cell and of having mechanical parts which do not so rapidly drain the cell that the timepiece requires cell replacement frequently. vAs a general rule, the commercially available devices have required electrical power of the order of a milliwatt as aminimum.

When it is sought to provide a wrist watch, the size Yand `weight restrictions for commercial acceptance, with portability and lack of encumbrance equal tothat oftza spring-driven wrist watch, demand a contained battery and a motive device actuated therefrom which will operate over a period of a year or more, i. e., corresponding to the idle shelf life of many commercial batteries.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a chronometric mechanism of small dimensions with a self-contained oscillator system and electrical means for sustaining oscillation, and a source of power to operate said system for a long period of time.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an electrically powered chronometric mechanism of a size y such that, with its power source, it can be enclosed completely within the space between the dial and the interior surface of the back-of a conventional watch case such as is employed to enclose a conventional spring-driven watch movement. v

A further feature is the provision of an electrically powered wrist or pocket watch, including awatch case such as is employed to enclose a conventional springdriven wrist or pocket watch movement, and having a power source and mechanism including dial and hands or other time indicator of a size such that they are enclosed completely within the said case.

A further feature of the invention is the 'provision of an assembly of a source of electrical energy, an electrically actuated rate-determining member, and time-registering means actuated thereby, combined into small volume and weight equivalent to those of present-normal springdriven watches.

A further feature is the provision of an electrically powered watch as described above having an externally accessible means for setting and resetting the position of the hands or other time indicator and concurrently pre- 2,865,163 i? rented Dec. '23, 'l

'.9 d venting deleterious eifects while parts are in a setting position.

A further feature is the provision of an electrically powered watch .as described above having an externally accessible means for locking the power train to facilitate the setting operation.

A further feature is the provision of an electrically powered watch as described above having an externally accessible means for stopping the motor mechanism to facilitate the setting operation.

A further feature is the provision of an electrically powered watch as described above having an externally accessible means for opening a portion of the electric lcircuit to .prevent wastage of energy while the Watch is not being used.

A further feature is the provision of an electrically powered watch as described above, powered by an electrically driven motor asan integral part of the mechanism, saidmotorhaving an eiciency such that it can be operated for an extended period of time by the energy stored in a battery mounted within the case.

Another feature is'the provision of a chronometric mechanism comprising an electrically actuated oscillatory rate-,determining member assembled as a unit with a power take-off device,vatime indicating structure including train members driven from said device assembled as a second unit, and a source of power constituting a 'third unit; said units being separable for individual manufacture and replacement.

A further feature is the provision of a chronometric mechanism comprising a power unit, a train unit, a battery unit, and a case; said case and units including cooperativeparts for locating and .maintaining said units within the case.

A further feature is the provision of a chronometric mechanism comprising an oscillatory rate-determining member and a'powertake-olf device including an velement moved-,to and fro by said member, the forward movement being greater than the retrograde movement, and means cooperative with lsaidelement for accurately positioning the same for movement by said member.

A further feature is the provision of a chronometric mechanism comprising a frame, an oscillatory ratedetermining member on said frame, a power take-olf device on said frame and including an element moved by saidmember, and means on the frame for designating in the absence of said element the proper positioning of parts of said device.

Another featureis the provision of an electrically actuated .timepiece including an oscillatory rate-determining member, contact devices controlled thereby to effect irnpulsing of the same, and means for restricting the ampliztude of oscillation and thereby avoiding the successional ysaid blade connected therewith remote from an end thereof, xed contact means located to be engaged by Athe bladebetween said support and end, and an element carried inoscillation in s'ync'hronism with vsaid member for engaging said endof said blade and flexing the same `to effect contact engagement.

A further feature is the provision of a chronometric kmechanism comprising an oscillatory rate-determining member and electrically actuated means for impulsing the same; said means including a Vcontact blade and a fixed contact forengagement thereby whenthe blade is ltiexed, Aa source of electrical energy and a coil for delivering magnetic impulses to the member, conductor 

